Learn More About the Eight Ballot Questions for 2024

Ballot Questions:

Question 1

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for the digitization of all Town paper records, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 17), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $667,500 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town’s tax levy limit to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $667,500
Tax Impact: 0.18% or $22/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 2

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for replacement of HVAC/air handling units at the Hopkinton Public Schools, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 18), the Town voted to take NO ACTION on this article after a motion for No Action was made by the School Committee.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved, but the expenditure CANNOT proceed without a future town meeting vote.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure CANNOT proceed.

Cost: $700,000
Tax Impact: 0.18% or $23/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 3

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for renovation and an addition to the Hopkins Elementary School, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 19), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $48,550,000 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town’s tax levy limit to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $48,550,000
Tax Impact: 3.44% or $429/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 4

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for survey, design, engineering, permitting, and construction of drainage improvements on Ash Street and Fenton Street, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 20), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $500,000 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town’s tax levy limit to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $500,000
Tax Impact: 0.06% or $7/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 5

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for survey, design, engineering, permitting, and construction of roadway, sidewalk, and drainage improvements on DiCarlo Road, Peppercorn Road, and Barbara Road, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 21), the Town voted NO on this article.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved, but the expenditure CANNOT proceed without a future town meeting vote.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure CANNOT proceed.

Cost: $780,000
Tax Impact: 0.09% or $11/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 6

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for survey, design, engineering, permitting, and construction of culvert replacement on Granite Street, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 22), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $850,000 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town’s tax levy limit to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $850,000
Tax Impact: 0.10% or $12/year on the average house valued at $852,400

Question 7

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for replacement of the ozone treatment system at the Howe Street Water Treatment Plant in Ashland, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same, that while such borrowing shall be a general obligation of the Town, it is the intent of the Town that the debt service be paid in the first instance from the water enterprise fund?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 24), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $958,000 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town water customers’ water rate to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $958,000
Water Rate Impact: TBA

Question 8

Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for the for design, engineering, and permitting support for East Main Street Water Main replacement, including any and all costs, fees, and expenses related to the same, that while such borrowing shall be a general obligation of the Town, it is the intent of the Town that the debt service be paid in the first instance from the water enterprise fund?

At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 26), the Town voted to raise and appropriate $400,000 for this purpose, and to meet that appropriation by authorizing the Town to borrow the funds to cover that cost. This borrowing was made contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion under Proposition 2 ½, authorizing a temporary increase in the Town water customers’ water rate to cover the cost of borrowing for this item.

A YES vote would mean that the borrowing is approved and the expenditure will proceed.
A NO vote would mean that the borrowing is disapproved and the expenditure cannot proceed without a future ballot vote within 90 days.

Cost: $400,000
Water Rate Impact: TBA